The Kapamilya network has ramped up its measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus disease.
On March 10, ABS-CBN announced that it will temporarily suspend the admission of live studio audience during shows like It’s Showtime, ASAP Natin ‘To, I Can See Your Voice, and Magandang Buhay. This was in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, in which DOH has recorded 64 persons infected virus as of March 13, 2020.
That same day, It’s Showtime went live with no studio audience. The hosts even jokingly said “[w]hat’s up, walang pipol?!” as a reference to the current situation.
On March 13, a day after the President has raised the alert status to Code Red Sublevel 2 due to COVID-19 pandemic, the station has taken a more drastic approach.
Beginning Sunday, March 15, 2020, all live entertainment programs and teleseryes will be suspending their respective filmings for the time being.
According to the company, they “are taking this initiative for the safety and health of our artists, crew, production teams, their families, and the general public.”
In addition, the network also said that they “are bringing back shows to help provide inspiration, hope, and upliftment.”
News programming on TV, radio, and digital will remain on air to deliver the latest developments on the COVID-19 outbreak in the Philippines.
No further details are available as of the moment.
Read the full statement below: